The Feel Good Project

AWARE has launched a three year ‘Traveller Mental and Emotional Wellbeing Project.’ Funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA), this project aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health within the Traveller community and provide practical support to promote mental and emotional wellbeing.

The PHA is the major regional organisation responsible for tackling health inequalities and promoting health and social wellbeing improvement.

There is some indication that Travellers experience poorer mental health than the settled community. This programme aims to provide specific support to the Travelling Community, in partnership with the Traveller Support Networks and the Health Trusts.

The focus of the project is to deliver specific and culturally sensitive mental and emotional wellbeing workshops to families and individuals within the Travelling Community in order to increase their knowledge and to build resilience.

Chief Executive of AWARE, Siobhan Doherty said,

“We are delighted to be working with the Public Health Agency on this very important project. Quite often minority communities can feel forgotten about and we want to ensure that when it comes to looking after your mental health, the Travelling community know they can reach out to us for support.

“We have worked with the Travelling Community before when we made a DVD to help inform them on the signs and symptoms of depression and ill mental health.

“Working closely with Travellers and Traveller Support Groups, the project will provide a range of programmes aimed at improving peoples understanding, attitude and behaviour in terms of mental health and emotional wellbeing.”

For more information on the Feel Good Project please contact our Derry Office on 028 7126 0602